Understanding the traffic problem: Causes and effects
The solution to the traffic problem should start from a clear understanding of the problem itself and a scientific analysis of its root causes as well as a realization of its consequences and implications. The traffic mess is a physics problem that requires a physics solution. Physics is that branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy, and thus deals with volumes, motions, speed, velocity, time, and space. Translated into simple terms, the reason why we are facing a huge traffic crisis is because we are unable to synchronize the movements of matter in limited space, and the speed and velocity of their motions are not managed to ease volumes over space and time.
Cause number 1 - Uncontrolled volumes. There is no stopping a very high population volume from acquiring too many vehicles that are fiercely competing to occupy the same spaces at the same time. In this country, car manufacturers are driven only by insatiable greed and reckless profit and don't have corporate social responsibility. The government doesn't control vehicle licensing and is oblivious to the reality that space is limited. Thus car sales are endlessly transacted without any regard for their impact on traffic. Vehicle sales are not subjected to priority, like giving importance to those involved in movement to save lives and transport food and medicines, before any other needs or luxuries like tobacco and liquor.
Cause number 2 - Failure to manage limited spaces. Government allows illegal parking and gives licenses to vehicle owners without sufficient parking spaces or garages. Giant malls are put up by greedy taipans along main thoroughfares. Illegal structures are built along highways and roads and the government is inutile or corrupt enough not to solve these with a sense of purpose and urgency.
Cause number 3 - Failure to manage time. The authorities allow companies to start working times and end work schedules all at the same time with school and mall hours. Thus movement and volume are allowed to overwhelm limited time and space.
These problems cause billions of losses in man hours and cause pollution, road rage, accidents, property damage, and deaths. These unmanaged interactions make life in the city miserable and cause deterioration of health and the quality of life. In our next column, we shall outline the proposed solutions to this problem. Public officials should go back to their physics textbooks and use both logic and common sense. They cannot forever be washing their hands and pointing fingers. They should roll their sleeves and work smart and hard to formulate a viable solution to this malady. If they cannot do it, they should resign and let more competent people do it.
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